2020 Hula Bowl Invitee (Accepted)
2019 Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
2019 Conference USA Honorable Mention
2018 Conference USA Honorable Mention
2018 Phil Steele All-Conference USA Second Team
PFF College C-USA Team of the Week (Oct. 5, 2019)
2019 (r-Sr.) | 13/12: In his final season on The Hill, Darden was the team's starting nickelback for the third straight year. He recorded 54 total tackles (35 solo, 19 assisted), including 3.5 for loss, to become only the sixth Hilltopper in the program's FBS Era (since 2009) to reach 200 career tackles. Darden had a season-high nine tackles vs. Louisville at Nissan Stadium – to go along with a quarterback hurry – and a season-high two tackles for loss vs. UAB for five yards. He intercepted his sixth career pass at Old Dominion, becoming only the sixth player in WKU's FBS Era (since 2009) to reach six career picks. But Darden saved his best performance for last, recording a career-high four pass breakups in the First Responder Bowl over Western Michigan; two of those breakups prevented touchdowns in the end zone, while another stopped the Broncos on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs to the Hilltopper offense, leading to the team's eventual game-winning drive. He was a team captain for two games: in the season-opener vs. Central Arkansas and on Senior Day against Middle Tennessee.
2018 (r-Jr.) | 12/11: Darden recorded 71 tackles (42 solo, 29 assisted) to lead WKU defensive backs, including four for loss, while adding team-highs of three interceptions and 11 pass breakups, starting 11 contests and playing in all 12 games. Darden ranked fourth in Conference USA with 11 pass breakups and was 1-of-12 defenders in the league with three or more picks. He had interceptions vs. Marshall and UTEP, as well as at Florida Atlantic, which he returned for 38 yards against the Owls. Darden had at least one pass breakup in eight different games, including two vs. Marshall and Old Dominion, as well as at Louisiana Tech. He had two games of double-digit tackles, including a season-high 12 at Ball State with two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. He recorded 10 tackles at Charlotte with another pass breakup. In the season opener at No. 4 Wisconsin, Darden forced a fumble of 2018 Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor. During the season, he also added five kickoff returns for 115 yards, including a long of 37 yards at Louisville.
2017 (r-So.) | 13/10: After officially earning a scholarship in spring camp, Darden responded with a breakout season of 71 tackles (41 solo, 30 assisted), 6.5 tackles for loss and six pass breakups. His 71 tackles were fourth on WKU, while his 6.5 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage tied for third. He started the final 10 contests of the season at nickelback, averaging 6.7 tackles per game. He had all six of his batted balls, which ranked second on the Hilltoppers, in the span of six weeks in the middle of the campaign. He had his best performance vs. Florida Atlantic, with career highs of 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted), two of which were for a loss, and a pair of pass breakups. He also had double-digit tackle outputs in back-to-back weeks at Marshall and vs. Middle Tennessee.
2016 (r-Fr.) | 5/0: Darden returned from a preseason injury and saw action in the final five games of the season, making an immediate impact in the secondary. In five games, he tallied four tackles and picked off two passes (vs. North Texas and at Marshall). The pick vs. North Texas was returned for a team season-high 63 yards before he was tackled just short of the goal line. He was one of only three Hilltopper defenders to have multiple interceptions on the season.
2015 (Fr.): Darden redshirted his first season on The Hill.
HS/Misc.: Darden prepped at Russellville High School where he played safety, quarterback and wide receiver. As a senior, he tallied 645 yards on 82 rushes with eight touchdowns, 871 yards on 44-of-96 passing with 10 touchdown passes, caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown as well as picking off five passes with one pick six.
